In this photo released by Disney-ABC Television Group, Disney President and CEO Robert Iger presents an award to Robin Williams at the Legend Awards in Anaheim, Calif. on Sept. 10, 2009. (AP Photo/Disney-ABC Television Group, Adam Larkey)

(Newser)
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Robin Williams' innovative will locked down the use of his image for 25 years—and as a result, the Times of London says that Disney "has abandoned plans to make a fourth installment of the blockbuster Aladdin" animated film, in which Williams played the Genie. "When he was on form, the hyperactive motormouth we love from Good Morning Vietnam, Hook, Dead Poets Society, and Mrs Doubtfire, Robin was making 30 jokes a minute," a former Disney exec tells the paper, but much of it was left on the cutting room floor. "Now, because he insisted on a final say on such material, [the jokes] will remain in the vaults."

As io9 points out, Williams had a beef with Disney while he was alive—in 1993, he said that Disney had agreed not to use his voice to market Aladdin merchandise, then reneged on that agreement. "We had a deal," he said. "The one thing I said was I will do the voice. I'm doing it basically because I want to be part of this animation tradition. I want something for my children. One deal is, I just don't want to sell anything—as in Burger King, as in toys, as in stuff." But Disney ended up doing just that, he said: "They took a character I did and overdubbed it to sell stuff." (Disney released never-before-seen Genie footage for the first time last month.)

There is something shady because if Disney is halting their plans, then obviously they don't have it in writing that they can use Robin Williams likeness/voice, otherwise regardless of the will they would have the rights! So...No! They don't have a written contract saying they can use his likeness/voice in perpetuity.

colius

Jan 24, 2016 11:58 AM CST

Nothing shady is new. I worked on movies / tv movies as an artist. They always made you sign a "deal memo" that said: All your work was their property IN PERPETUITY, throughout THE UNIVERSE! ( Just in case they could sell it to aliens someday! )

Ashley Compton

Jan 14, 2016 10:12 PM CST

Mr. Robin's voice and his to dictate how he wishes it to be used and if Disney agreed not to use it commercials they must legally respect them. Disneyland is way over priced and over rated and for me I have turned to LEGOLAND in Tokyo as an alternative for my son to go on a special event's day the pass for a year is 60 dollars and he enjoys it just as much..